I am planning to put this in my new newspaper. I am mailing you a copy soon. I also have "God's Love" that you gave me a copy of which will be alongside it. My parents were very impressed with your writing. I am so glad you gave me those copies though I did not understand at the time why you did. God had a "ram in the bush" for my newspaper. How awesome! Everything looks great here on the website. You can send anything you want to me and/or ask for help on getting things posted. Just let me know.
I saw your posting about Valentine's Day. I know what you mean about it. Having been alone for many years I tended to really hate that day. One day a store manager came up to me on Valentine's Day and gave me a silk rose and I thought that was so lovely. He said he was doing it for all the ladies that day. Nice! Now I know while it may not be a "love letter" kind of thing letting someone know that someone else cares on that day is a great idea. So, as soon as I figure out the mail delay (which we know there is) I can try to gauge when to send a card. So plan on NOT being overlooked next time. (Smile)
Since I don't sign mail going to South Bay (for obvious reasons) you can know that I am now on the between the bars posts, and am the one that you gave your work to in a nearby office. Yep...God wastes nothing!
This posting sent me mentally back to a story told to me by an inmate in the prison I was working at in Florida. The prison "welcome" was getting beaten in the nearby bathroom while staff pretended they did not know anything. I lasted an entire nano-second in the scheme of things by working for less than my 90 day probationary period. Sadly I lasted longer than the other I went through Orientation with. I was an Assistant Chaplain coming from Ohio as a previous medical Chaplain. I can tell you that the general public has NO idea what goes on in prisons and never really think much about it. Unless of course they end up with someone in the system. I came to appreciate very quickly the fact that the men wearing blue uniforms seemed to operate with more integrity than those wearing dress clothes. Then again I was lucky enough to only be working with men in the Faith Based Programs.The others who would fit the description of the men you write about were far across the facility from me. But, their actions at times would be told to me during visits from worn out inmates. I never knew if I should try to act like the stories were not bothering me or if I should admit how horrified and hurt I was to hear their stories. I always tried hard to stay focused and offer an ear of compassion. Never knowing if that was enough. I eventually had to leave since my sense of "fairness and compassion" was considered a weakness and source of irritation to administration. Since I am a female they also felt that inmates were "manipulating me" and trying to gain sympathy. My complaints and concerns to Administration were largely overlooked and those inmates who showed any interest in working with me were eventually shipped out or put in confinement for some mysterious reason. So when I realized that I was likely causing more harm than good I left my job and returned home to Ohio. I am now working on a newspaper for inmates, those in recovery, and families and ministries that would help promote awareness about prison life. If you would like to write to me I would be appreciative and try to support you in writing as much as possible.
Please stay safe and know that there are those of us who care and are working toward bringing these issues to the public awareness. I am hoping and praying for real change in the Correctional system.
I am touched by your story. I hear your pain. I am sorry that your life has been like this. I am the Mom of a bi-racial son that I raised without his Dad. At one point his Dad went back into his addiction and died of a Cocaine overdose. My son is also angry. I could never do enough to replace his missing Dad. But I tried. I am sorry that your Mom did not have the support to raise you. I can only hope that one day you will have someone cross your path that will let you see that there are some (like me) that do care. You can rise above the challenges in your life as others have and I hope you find the way to do that. In the meanwhile you can write me. I am a Chaplain that recently did a very short term position in a men's prison in Florida. Why short term? Because I came to see the problems there very quickly. I realized I could help them more from the outside than the inside. I moved back to Ohio where there are more resources and support to make things happen. I am writing a newspaper to help inmates and those in recovery. You could even get on the mailing list if you would like. Let your anger motivate you to change. Otherwise it will eat you up inside. I know it is not easy. I have not had an easy life either and anger over it caused depression. No one wants to live like that. It either destroys you or those around you, or both eventually. If you want to experience some understanding, compassion, and truth then write me. I will be glad to share it. My newspaper is called Intercultural Interfaith Communications.
My PO BOX: Chaplain Levay I.I.C. P.O.Box 347402 Parma, Ohio 44134
Let your "education" take you down a new path! I will help if you let me. Not going to "preach" to you but offer you a different perspective on whatever you would like to share. I have been through some things too and maybe I can tell you something of value.
Gary, I took your papers with me. I can't tell you what a blessing you were and are to me. I may have left SB but my heart and spirit is still there with men like you. I have started a new publication and will be sharing two of the poems you gave me. I will gladly share more if you mail them to me. I will be mailing you the first edition of the newspaper soon but I know it will likely take a while for you to get it. I am hoping this publication will help writers and artists have another place to present their work. I have created a page here on between the bars as ChaplainL. I hope we can keep in touch. The newspaper PO Box is this: Intercultural Interfaith Communications (or I.I.C for short) P.O. Box 347402 Parma, Ohio 44134
I do not use my name in the publication due to the obvious problem at South Bay. Blessings to you! Chaplain L.
May God continue to bless you and to guide you. You are not alone. I hear this message loud and clear and I will do my best to spread your plea. I am praying for your strength and your healing!
This was amazingly well written and inspiring. I agree with a previous poster that this article is worthy of publication. It is people like you that have the heart and the know-how to change the world, that ultimately will. I'm sure at times it might be easy to feel powerless but a person's mind is the greatest power they have. Continue to utilize all that you were blessed with. You, my friend, are more powerful than some that have all the freedoms imaginable. God bless you.
Your posts bring me such joy. It's a wonderful feeling to see your words come out, and if only a small portion of your daily thoughts. Its good that you have found time to make yourself think that what you do matters. Ultimately, any shred of dignity you can gain from an otherwise wasted life must be something worth keeping.
Good luck in your new home, and here's hoping you get a new move again soon.
Later, I will send you a list of wrongfully incarcerated indivividuals who ultimately got out, and went on to commit even more heinous crimes. Thankfully, life means life. I hate the tax burden the country places on us, knowing much of it goes to find prisons, but I am glad to see a more corporate approach to the housing of the criminal element. If something can be made from their time locked up, all the better.
I know it has got to be hard to be away from your family. I just lost someone that went to jail and it is very hard for me. I really wish you the best Mr. Stevenson.
RSS
I saw your posting about Valentine's Day. I know what you mean about it. Having been alone for many years I tended to really hate that day. One day a store manager came up to me on Valentine's Day and gave me a silk rose and I thought that was so lovely. He said he was doing it for all the ladies that day. Nice! Now I know while it may not be a "love letter" kind of thing letting someone know that someone else cares on that day is a great idea. So, as soon as I figure out the mail delay (which we know there is) I can try to gauge when to send a card. So plan on NOT being overlooked next time. (Smile)
Since I don't sign mail going to South Bay (for obvious reasons) you can know that I am now on the between the bars posts, and am the one that you gave your work to in a nearby office. Yep...God wastes nothing!
Please write me at:
Intercultural Interfaith Communications
P.O. Box 347402
Parma, Ohio 44134
I came to appreciate very quickly the fact that the men wearing blue uniforms seemed to operate with more integrity than those wearing dress clothes. Then again I was lucky enough to only be working with men in the Faith Based Programs.The others who would fit the description of the men you write about were far across the facility from me. But, their actions at times would be told to me during visits from worn out inmates. I never knew if I should try to act like the stories were not bothering me or if I should admit how horrified and hurt I was to hear their stories. I always tried hard to stay focused and offer an ear of compassion. Never knowing if that was enough.
I eventually had to leave since my sense of "fairness and compassion" was considered a weakness and source of irritation to administration. Since I am a female they also felt that inmates were "manipulating me" and trying to gain sympathy. My complaints and concerns to Administration were largely overlooked and those inmates who showed any interest in working with me were eventually shipped out or put in confinement for some mysterious reason.
So when I realized that I was likely causing more harm than good I left my job and returned home to Ohio. I am now working on a newspaper for inmates, those in recovery, and families and ministries that would help promote awareness about prison life. If you would like to write to me I would be appreciative and try to support you in writing as much as possible.
Please stay safe and know that there are those of us who care and are working toward bringing these issues to the public awareness. I am hoping and praying for real change in the Correctional system.
Chaplain M. Levay
Intercultural Interfaith Communications
P.O. Box 347402
Parma, Ohio 44134
I can only hope that one day you will have someone cross your path that will let you see that there are some (like me) that do care. You can rise above the challenges in your life as others have and I hope you find the way to do that. In the meanwhile you can write me.
I am a Chaplain that recently did a very short term position in a men's prison in Florida. Why short term? Because I came to see the problems there very quickly. I realized I could help them more from the outside than the inside. I moved back to Ohio where there are more resources and support to make things happen. I am writing a newspaper to help inmates and those in recovery. You could even get on the mailing list if you would like.
Let your anger motivate you to change. Otherwise it will eat you up inside. I know it is not easy. I have not had an easy life either and anger over it caused depression. No one wants to live like that. It either destroys you or those around you, or both eventually.
If you want to experience some understanding, compassion, and truth then write me. I will be glad to share it. My newspaper is called Intercultural Interfaith Communications.
My PO BOX:
Chaplain Levay
I.I.C.
P.O.Box 347402
Parma, Ohio 44134
Let your "education" take you down a new path! I will help if you let me. Not going to "preach" to you but offer you a different perspective on whatever you would like to share. I have been through some things too and maybe I can tell you something of value.
Best Regards,
ChaplainL
I took your papers with me. I can't tell you what a blessing you were and are to me. I may have left SB but my heart and spirit is still there with men like you. I have started a new publication and will be sharing two of the poems you gave me. I will gladly share more if you mail them to me. I will be mailing you the first edition of the newspaper soon but I know it will likely take a while for you to get it. I am hoping this publication will help writers and artists have another place to present their work.
I have created a page here on between the bars as ChaplainL. I hope we can keep in touch. The newspaper PO Box is this:
Intercultural Interfaith Communications (or I.I.C for short)
P.O. Box 347402
Parma, Ohio 44134
I do not use my name in the publication due to the obvious problem at South Bay. Blessings to you! Chaplain L.
I really enjoy your writings, I have done many of them for you. Keep writing.
Good luck in your new home, and here's hoping you get a new move again soon.
Later, I will send you a list of wrongfully incarcerated indivividuals who ultimately got out, and went on to commit even more heinous crimes. Thankfully, life means life. I hate the tax burden the country places on us, knowing much of it goes to find prisons, but I am glad to see a more corporate approach to the housing of the criminal element. If something can be made from their time locked up, all the better.